Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deshaun Watson vs Michael Penix Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Penix Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.4 PPG to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Penix Jr. is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Michael Penix Jr. and Deshaun Watson are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.2-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBCleveland Browns#99

Deshaun Watson

PPG

12.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,105

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

185

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBAtlanta Falcons#29PPG LEADER

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Deshaun Watson

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

12.2 PPG13.4 PPG

11 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Deshaun Watson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Deshaun Watson is producing at 55% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means Michael Penix Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deshaun Watson vs Michael Penix Jr.: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Deshaun Watson finished the 2025 season at 12.2 PPG over 11 games with the Cleveland Browns, while Michael Penix Jr. clocked in at 13.4 across 9 appearances for the Atlanta Falcons. A 1.2-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Deshaun Watson threw for 2105 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Michael Penix Jr. posted 1982 yards and 9 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Deshaun Watson is off Week 10 and Michael Penix Jr. Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Deshaun Watson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Michael Penix Jr. outscored Deshaun Watson by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Deshaun Watson played 11 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. That durability gap means Deshaun Watson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Deshaun Watson scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Deshaun Watson vs Michael Penix Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deshaun Watson	Michael Penix Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.2	13.4
Games Played	11	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	121
Passing Yards	2,105	1,982
Passing TDs	12	9
Pass Yds/Game	191.4	220.2
Rushing Yards	185	70
Rushing TDs	2	1
Total TDs	14	10
TDs/Game	1.3	1.1
Age	-	26
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

13.4 PPG for Michael Penix Jr. versus 12.2 for Deshaun Watson in 2025. The baseline favors Michael Penix Jr., though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Deshaun Watson or Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Penix Jr. has the edge at 13.4 PPG compared to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Deshaun Watson and Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Deshaun Watson and Michael Penix Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deshaun Watson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deshaun Watson or Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Michael Penix Jr. outscored Deshaun Watson by 1.2 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.